Preservative and nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops

ABSTRACT

A preservative and nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops consisting of an inorganic acid, namely, phosphoric acid, and an organic substance consisting substantially of propionic acid. The method of reducing the nitrate value of crops by treating said crops with the foregoing composition.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Rolland W. Nelson 1 125 18th St.,West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 [211 App]. No. 542,441

[22} Filed Mar. 22, 1966 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [54] PRESERVATIVEAND NITRATE REDUCING AGENT FOR RAW AGRICULTURAL CROPS 1 Claim, NoDrawings [52] US. Cl 424/128,

424/317, 99/8 [51] Int. Cl A01n.l3/00 [50] Field of Search 167/22 G,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,078,537 4/l937 Henglein eta1 v 99/ 8 v position.

1,318,174 10/1919 Plaisance 99/1 1,627,342 5/1921 Sabalitschka 99/224FORElGN PATENTS 13,863 7/1891 g tari ai OTHER REFEREIEESM PrimaryExaminer-Albert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner--Vincent D. TurnerAn0rneyDick, Zarley, McKee and Thomte ABSTRACT: A preservative andnitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops consisting of aninorganic acid, namely, phosphoric acid, and an organic substanceconsisting substantially of propionic acid. The method of reducing thenitrate value of crops by treating said crops with the foregoing com-PRESERVATIVE AND NITRATE REDUCING AGENT FOR RAW AGRICULTURAL CROPS Thecutting of forage crops and their subsequent storage for animal feedingpurposes creates a variety of problems. Bacterial growth on the cut cropgives rise to mold growth, some of which is toxic to the animals. Moldand bacterial growth adversely affects the nutrient value of the crops.The green color of the crop deteriorates which also accelerates adepreciation of the nutrient value of the crop. in addition, cropsraised on heavily fertilized soils often have such a high nitratecontent that they are toxic to the animals.

Therefore, a principal object of this invention is to provide apreservative and nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops thatwill effectively reduce bacterial and mold growth in the crop andsubstantially extend its storage life.

A further object of this invention is to provide a preservative andnitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops which will preservethe beta carotene (green color) of the crop.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a preservativeand nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops which willpreserve the protein and other nutrients of the crop.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a preservativeand nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops which will enhancethe flavor of the crop.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a preservativeand nitrate reducing agent for raw agricultural crops which willsubstantially reduce the nitrate content of the crop.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The compound contemplated by this invention is made in both a liquid anda dry form, for the different forms are each more convenient to use invarious applications.

The composition of the compound of this invention is as follows:

The function of these ingredients will be discussed below.

inorganic Acid. While sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids do serveto attack bacteria and mold, they are difficult to handle. it wasdetermined that phosphoric acid served very well in providingbactericidal action, and it renders the mold spores ineffective forreproduction if some mold does occur before the bacteria action normallywould have taken place. in addition, this preferred inorganic acidcomplements the other components as will be discussed hereafter. Theorganic acids mentioned above would all be used in the proportionalranges described above.

Organic Acid. Examples of organic acids suitable for use in thisinvention are citric, propionic, lactic, succinic, fumaric, benzoic, andadipic, although a combination of propionic, lactic and benzoic acidshas proven to be more desirable. The preferred ratio is four parts byweight of propionic acid to one part of lactic acid, whereupon thepropionic acid constitutes 20 percent of the total compound; the lacticacid forms 5 percent of the compound; and the benzoic acid forms 1percent of the compound, based upon the preferred use of 26 percent oforganic acid used as suggested above.

The organic acids also attack and inhibit the bacteria and mold growthdiscussed above in regard to the inorganic acid.

The propionic acid also inhibits the mycelcium formers, and it has beendetermined that the combination of phosporic acid and propionic acidkills a much broader range of bacteria than either of these acids can doby themselves. in addition, the lactic acid kills the reproduction germof the grain, and by so doing, the grain ages more quickly and stops thegerminating process of taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide.The effectiveness of the compound is reduced approximately 50 percent ifthe organic acids are present in proportions below the 15 to 30 percentlisted above, and the compound is not economically feasible if thisrange is exceeded.

The benzoic acid works as a mold and bacteria inhibitor, just as do thelactic and propionic acids, and it has been determined that theresulting compound works more effectively with the benzoic acid presentthan without. It may be that the benzoic acids act as a metabolite whichis a nonnutrient upon which the bacteria will feed but will starve todeath.

Flavors. An oil-type flavoring agent should be used, such as anise oil,orange oil, lemon oil, or tangerine oil. The flavors enhance the tasteof the crop, but it has been determined that these flavoring agentsexert bactericidal activity.

Methyl Paraben. This substance is a preservative and suppresses thegrowth of mold and bacteria. It is used only in trace amounts, but itspresence complements the other components and results in an improvedproduct.

To manufacture the liquid form of the product, the liquid inorganic andorganic acids are mixed, and the powder, sodium benzoate (in the desiredproportion by weight of the benzoic acid) is added to and dissolved inthe mixed acids. A sufficient amount of an emulsifier, such as a fattyacid, is added to the flavors to put the flavors into a clear solution,and the flavors are then added to the mixed acids along with a trace ofthe methyl paraben powder.

When the dry compound is made, the inorganic acid in liquid form ismixed with the liquid lactic acid. This liquid substance is thereuponsprayed on a drying or absorbing agent, such as silica. Sufficientdrying agent is used to reduce the resulting composition to a powder orgranular form. Sodium benzoate and sodium propionate (in powder fonn)are then added in the respective desired proportions of propionic acidand benzoic acid, which are chemically formed as the respective salts ofthese acids are mixed with the dried inorganic and lactic acids. Dryflavors are then added.

The ingredients of both the dry and the wet compositions should bethoroughly mixed. The wet mixture is usually applied to the feed or cropinvolved by spraying, and the dry composition is usually sprinkled onthe crop. it has been determined that the application of either the dryof liquid form of this invention substantially reduces both bacterialand mold growth. The green color of roughage crops is retained longerand the nutrient value of all treated crops is much higher than when nottreated. In addition, the nitrate value of untreated crops is reduced atleast 50 percent when the crops are treated with the composition of thisinvention. Furthermore, the treated crop, whether grain or roughage, ishighly palatable. it has also been determined that by feeding thiscomposition directly to fowls, such as chickens and turkeys, the growthof mold within the craw of the fowl is substantially inhibited.

The reduction of the nitrate is accomplished by the reaction of thephosphitide with nitrogen to reduce the nitrate toxicity. Theassimilation of the nitrate by the animal if thereupon substantiallyreduced.

it is therefore seen that this invention will accomplish at least all ofits stated objectives.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out thepresent invention, PRESERVATIVE AND NlTRATE REDUCING AGENT FOR RAWAGRICULTURAL CROPS, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of theannexed claim, they are to be considered as part of my invention.

I claim:

1. A crop preservative and nitrate assimilation composition, saidinorganic substance comprising approximately 55 to 80 Pf 8= I percent byweight of said composition, and said organic an i fg morgamc acid bemgessenuauy acid substance comprising approximately 20 to 28 perp osp one861 and an organic acid substance consisting substantially of by weightofsaid composmon' propionic acid, a a: It :u

